Our Ultimate Dog-Owner's Guide To L.A.

Forget "man's best friend" — anyone who's ever owned a pup knows they're more like kin. In fact, after the holidays, some of us may even feel like our dogs are the only beings we don't need in small doses (the same can't be said for other members of our fam). Seriously, though, who could ever get tired of being on the receiving end of a sloppy wet smooch after a long day? Those precious moments are exactly why we strive to be the best parents and always pamper our pooches with pedigree (and we don't mean the dog-food brand!).

Since it's tough to navigate the ins and outs of the furry world, we've got the lowdown on our favorite L.A.-based groomers, boarding facilities, vets, adoption agencies — you name it — for all of you folks with maternal (mutt) instincts. Whether your bundle of joy is a rescue pup off the DTLA streets or a 90210 purebred, let us be your guide.

Emotional RescueAnimal Advocates Alliance
This set of Fido defenders is one-hundred-percent devoted to finding "forever homes" for abandoned little pals. They're the saints of strays and frequently host mobile and off-site adoptions for hopeful new owners. Rescuing out of one of the highest kill shelters in Baldwin Park, AAA gives new meaning to warm fuzzies!Animal Advocates Alliance, 137 North Larchmont Boulevard #708 (near Beverly Boulevard); 310-285-8422.

D Cups Saving Tea Cups
Don't let the cheeky name fool you, these ladies mean business — there's plenty of bite behind their bark! We've witnessed founder and activist Kim Sill in action, rescuing two homeless (and adorable) mutts right outside of our offices. Her group spent a year protesting pet shops, and now works directly with them to change their business models from mills to more humane shelter-swoops.
D Cups Saving Tea Cups

Much Love Animal Rescue
This non-profit has given the gift of puppy love to more people in town than we can count. Since it began in '99, over 3,000 dogs have been adopted, sometimes within hours of scheduled euthanization. The doggies they've emancipated are some of the most captivating canines we've seen, too!
Much Love Animal Rescue

For Pup PlaydatesHuntington Dog Beach
Other than Leo Carrillo in Malibu, this is one of the only stretches of sand in SoCal where your pooch can play freely (even sans leash!). Pack your doggy bags, a picnic, and take a dip with your dog in tow!
Huntington Dog Beach Pacific Coast Highway (between Seapoint Avenue and 21st Street).

Laurel Canyon Dog Park
Set in a picturesque canyon straddling Laurel Canyon and Studio City, you'll find a massive grassy knoll where your furball can roam free and fraternize with friends. And, if you're single, you may want to apply some gloss — this spot is for mingling of all species!
Laurel Canyon Dog Park, 8260 Mulholland Drive (near Laurel Canyon Boulevard); 818-762-7246.

Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park
It's pretty annoying that so many hikes in L.A. don't allow dogs. After all, you both need fresh air and exercise, right? Well, Westridge is the perfect fire road for the two (or three!) of you to burn some calories after too many treats. It's a stunning 1,500 acres of untouched outdoors, a tough trek in some parts, and you'll all leave tails wagging with a sense of accomplishment.
Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park, 17500 Mulholland Drive (near West Mandeville Fire Road); no phone.

The Modern Dog
Inside a sweet '20s bungalow on Abbot Kinney lies a serious array of lifestyle accessories organized neatly in each room of the former home. There are yummies in the "kitchen," beds and toys in the "living room," and everything in between. Whether your pooch is a Great Dane or a Yorkie and your style modern or more down-home, it will be tough to leave empty-handed.
The Modern Dog 1611 Abbot Kinney Boulevard (near Rialto Avenue); 310-450-2275.

The Urban Pet
With locations in Silver Lake, Mid-City, and Pasadena, a big chunk of our urban sprawl is covered by UP. It's a well-balanced diet of both the practical and posh: from healthy foods, eco-friendly products, dog training, vaccinations, and teeth cleaning to fun accoutrements and even pet photography, it's a one-stop critter shop.
The Urban Pet, 4475 Santa Monica Boulevard (near North Virgil Avenue); 323-664-4700.

Blue Collar Working Dog
This isn't the place for Paris Hilton-style bow wows, we'll tell you that much! You won't find sparkly collars or cutesy garb, but service-dog equipment, weight vests, and any accessory an active dog needs to stay on top of his or her game. It also offers strict obedience classes, fine-tuned workshops, and dog-walking services.
Blue Collar Working Dog, 1533 Echo Park Avenue (near Grafton Street); 213-977-9042.

No-Stress VetsBeverly Hills Small Animal Hospital
Open since 1930, this clinic is the crème de la crème for vet care. Dr. Winters is a dog whisperer of sorts, and soothes human anxiety over pet ailments with his oh-so-calm demeanor, too. Beverly Hills Small Animal Hospital, 353 North Foothill Road (at Alden Drive); 310-276-7113.

Laurel Pet Hospital
The folks here will tend to your dog like their very own — compawssion at its very finest! We've gone in with a serious situation and within an hour, a plan of attack was mapped, meds were in hand, and we left feeling absolutely confident our creature received the best care in town. If you're ever in a bind, this is a great spot to put on your emergency contact list since they have a well-stocked pharmacy, in-hospital surgery suite, digital x-ray equipment, dental radiography, endoscopy, ultrasound, and CO2 laser capabilities, all on site.
Laurel Pet Hospital, 7970 Santa Monica Boulevard (at North Edinburgh Avenue); 323-654-7060.

Groom And BoardRover Kennels
You'll have to bring your pooch in for a behavior test before he gets privileges to play on the giant jungle gym or watch movies in the screening room at this Culver City kennel. It's a state-of-the-art facility looped in with the aforementioned Much Love Animal Rescue (ask about discounts if you do go that adoption route), and when we come to pick our little guy up, we question whether he wants to come home! If you request it sweetly, they'll even send you daily pictures of your pet having a blast. Oh, and if she or he stays more than three nights, a free bath is included in the stay (sometimes it's necessary after all that boisterous play!).
Rover Kennels, 8930 Lindblade Street (near Higuera Street); 310-838-5599.

Town And Country Mobile Pet Services
Whether you're on set, getting your hair done, or just hanging at home, this van will pull up anywhere and have your furball coiffed within the hour. They use only organic and biodegradable shampoos and conditioners and hand-dry dogs who shed. Added reason to use T and C? The owner offers his services to Much Love rescue dogs pro bono to help gussy them up before finding homes. We'll howl to that!
Town And Country Mobile Pet Services, 3131 Santa Monica Boulevard (near Franklin Street); 310-453-3131.

L.A. Dogworks
When it comes to daycare or extended stays for your bud, we can't say enough great things about this Highland indoor haven. The owners hired a highly lauded mechanical engineer from the animal-care industry to build a space that suits the canines' natural inclinations (it's easy on the eyes for humans, too). A pheromone is even diffused into the air to relax its inhabitants!
L.A. Dogworks, 1014 North Highland Avenue (near Romaine Street); 323-461-5151.

Kennel Club LAX
Ideally situated near the airport, this 12,000-square-foot pet hotel has several outdoor play yards and even a swimming pool. With packages like the "Yappy Hour" (wine and cheese or beer and pretzels, whatever your discerning dog prefers!), you can breathe easily when you board, knowing that your precious family member will be well entertained.
Kennel Club LAX, 5325 West 102nd Street (near La Cienega Boulevard); 310-338-9166.

K9 Loft
Check your mini-companion in here, and you can check up on him or her via webcam when you're away. There are locations in East L.A., Sherman Oaks, and Pasadena for convenient drops and pick-ups in those 'hoods.
K9 Loft, 2170 West Sunset Boulevard (at Rosemont Avenue); 213-484-6006.

West LA Dogs
Operated in a private residence by a bona fide dog-lover, Burt Jenner, this is where you place your pooch if you want serious hands-on attention. The low-volume nature allows for more of an intimate experience, meaning your pup will barely remember you aren't there!
West LA Dogs, 2152 Parnell Avenue (at West Olympic Boulevard); 310-597-0424.

Walk It OutWalk Fido
For downtown dwellers who have to commute or just work too-long hours, these professionals are the perfect friends-for-the-day for your pet. With the "While You're Away" package, you get three visits a day for 45 minutes each, all within your own four walls. They'll even transport your pal to the vet for checkups or to nearby Muttropolitan for a grooming session. Walk Fido; 213-479-2426.

Sitter4Paws
Even though it's located in East L.A., these pro-pup power walkers service just about every area of the city. They'll hike your sidekick, pet-sit for the day, and even pet-taxi him or her crosstown.
Sitter4Paws, 3949 Veselich Avenue (near Garden Avenue); 323-316-0673.

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